On any given afternoon, the Enloe lacrosse field is alive with motion. Players sprint, sticks clash, and voices echo across the field—the liveliness of the games is incomparable. This energy continues throughout practices as well. According to senior and captain Peter Tyler, practices “go by so fast,” fueled by constant movement and energy. However, beyond the fast pace and high intensity lies something deeper: years of steady growth, strong leadership from the head and assistant coaches, and an uplifting team culture that continues to evolve.
For Head Coach Stocke, now in his seventh year leading the team, that growth is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. When he first took over, the team was much smaller and lacked the structure it has today. “When I started, we did not have a JV team,” Stocke comments. Now, the team includes both varsity and JV teams, with participation growing from just 16 players during the COVID-19 season of 2020-21 to over 50 athletes today.
That expansion reflects what Stocke sees as the team’s greatest strength: its sense of community. “The guys really work together to improve every single season,” he says. That emphasis on partnership is evident to players as well. Tyler emphasizes how the group has grown more connected over time, both on and off the field. “As a team, we’re just way more in sync now,” Tyler says. “The team [has] a very strong bond. We tend to hang out almost every weekend.”
This connection has also translated into a noticeable improvement in gameplay and the performance of the team. Tyler says he has personally grown more confident this season, especially in communication. At the same time, the team as a whole has become more cohesive, working together more effectively during games. Recalling the team’s biggest challenges this season, Tyler reflects, “Definitely consistency. Sometimes we come out slow or lose focus mid-game.” However, to combat this obstacle, he says that the team just has “to keep the energy up no matter what,” a skill they have been improving on this season.
According to Stocke, one of the team’s biggest accomplishments this season has been its ability to stay united and committed. Beyond wins and losses, both coach and players emphasize the personal development that comes with being part of the team. Stocke says one of his favorite aspects of coaching is “watching the guys learn and grow and get better as not only players, but men, too.”
Tyler echoes this sentiment. As a captain, he values the opportunity to guide his teammates and help build that same sense of unity. “I like leading the guys [and] watching everyone improve and overall, bring the team together,” he says.
As the season continues, Enloe lacrosse remains focused on the fundamentals that Tyler believes define a successful team: “trust, effort, and having each other’s backs.” With a growing roster, a committed coaching staff, and a strong sense of community, the team is not just building better players, but building something that lasts beyond the field.
